Sam Mendes Returning to Direct Bond 24

EON Productions, MGM, and Sony Pictures today announced that Sam Mendes will return to direct the 24th James Bond film written by John Logan. Daniel Craig will once again return as the legendary British secret agent. The film is set for release in UK theaters on October 23, 2015 and in US theaters on November 6, 2015.

Skyfall, the 23rd James Bond film, took in $1.1 billion worldwide and set a new mark as the highest-grossing film of all time in the UK; it was the best-selling Bond film on DVD/Blu-ray and was the most critically acclaimed film in the history of the longest-running film franchise.

Commenting on the announcement, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions said, “Following the extraordinary success of SKYFALL, we’re really excited to be working once again with Daniel Craig, Sam Mendes and John Logan.”

“I am very pleased that by giving me the time I need to honour all my theatre commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct Bond 24. I very much look forward to taking up the reins again, and to working with Daniel Craig, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for a second time,” said Mendes.

Gary Barber, Chairman & CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, added, “We are thrilled to reunite the extraordinary talents of director Sam Mendes with our star Daniel Craig for the next great Bond adventure.” He added, “As evidenced by the phenomenal success of our last collaboration with EON Productions and Sony, the incredible legacy of this 51-year-old franchise continues to amaze.”

Michael Lynton, CEO of Sony Entertainment, and Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, said, “It’s a privilege to work on the Bond films. EON, John Logan and Sam Mendes have come up with an extraordinary follow up to SKYFALL and we, along with our partners at MGM, can’t wait to share this new chapter with audiences all over the world.”